Body Mods: How to take care of your piercings and tattoos?
Thinking of getting a piercing or a tattoo? Read up thoroughly on the after-care procedures to ensure your mods stay clean and pristine.
So you’ve finally decided to get some ink or those ear piercings you’ve always wanted but you’re absolutely terrified. What happens if things go wrong, what happens if you get an infection…. these thoughts are probably running through your head right about now.
Well, apart from doing your diligent homework and picking a reputable tattoo parlour or piercer, there are some after-care pointers that you have to observe in order to keep your tats and your piercings clean, hygienic and long lasting.
PIERCING PITFALLS
Piercings may be increasingly common from ears to your tongue, but don’t forget that it is still a wound and while it is raw, you have to take care of it.
Make sure your piercer is using hypoallergenic ear studs like stainless steel or gold to ensure minimal allergic reactions to your new bling.
After the deed is done, leave your piercing jewellery on for at least 6 weeks to prevent the holes from closing. If you are going to touch your piercings, make sure your hands are clean.
Wash your ears with a gentle antibacterial soap and water, and keep them dry. You can also dab rubbing alcohol to disinfect the site twice a day. Keep a keen eye on your piercings and see a doctor if you notice any soreness or pus leaking from them.
INK MASTERY
Tattoos are a little riskier than piercings as they are permanent and involve a larger patch of your skin. The pigments are introduced into your epidermis with each tiny puncture.
Some people can have allergic reactions to the different colours in tattoo ink especially red, green, blue and yellow dyes. Healing can also be tricky if you are prone to raised scars like keloids.
Ensure that the tattoo parlour you’ve chosen is sterile and clean. The needles should be brand new and the pigments should be unopened. There should also be an autoclave to sterilise the other equipment.
After getting inked, remove the bandage after a day and rinse off the gooey discharge from the tattooed area – that’s the scab-causing culprit – gently with antibacterial soap and water. Then apply moisturising lotion to the tattoo daily.
Avoid sporty activities like swimming and don’t wear anything that might stick to your tattoo. Don’t pick at any scabs that form. Your tattoo should heal in 2 weeks and you can go for your touch up soon after, if it doesn’t, see your doctor.
So who’s getting inked?
Cheryl Lee
